User's Manual Part 2

GeoExplorer 2008 Series User Guide 63
Using the GPS receiver 5
Other GPS field applications
You can use the GeoExplorer 2008 series handheld with a custom application
developed using version 2.31 or later of the Trimble GPS Pathfinder Tools Software
Development Kit (SDK).
You can also use the GeoExplorer 2008 series handheld with any GPS field software
that accepts NMEA messages.
TrimPix technology
You can install version 1.20 or later of the TrimPix
™
technology on a GeoExplorer 2008
series handheld. Use TrimPix technology to quickly and easily add high quality digital
photographs to your GIS data collection workflow.
Note – To use TrimPix technology, you must have a compatible high resolution
WiFi-capable Nikon digital camera.
For more information, go to www.trimble.com/mgis_trimpix.shtml.
Configuring the GPS field software to connect to the receiver
The first time you use GPS field software on the handheld, you may need to specify
which GPS COM port to connect to.
GPS COM ports
The integrated GPS receiver has three COM ports for communicating with software on
the handheld and with external devices. Two ports are for outputting GPS data, and
one port is for receiving real-time corrections into the receiver.
To use GPS, open the appropriate GPS COM port. The type of communication used for
each port is described below:
Note – COM1 is a standard serial port that connects to external devices. For more
information, see Connecting to other devices using the serial clip, page 109.
Port Function Description
COM2 NMEA Outputs NMEA-0183 messages. NMEA is a standard GPS
communication protocol used by many GPS applications.
The handheld outputs the following NMEA messages: GGA, GLL, GSA,
GSV, RMC, VTG, ZDA. All messages are output at a one-second interval.
COM3 TSIP Outputs and receives TSIP messages. TSIP (Trimble Standard Interface
Protocol) is used by Trimble GPS applications, and is also supported by
some other GPS applications.
COM4 Real-time
corrections
Receives real-time correction messages. If you are using an external
correction source connected to COM1 or a Bluetooth port, the
corrections must be redirected to COM4. For more information, see
Using real-time corrections from an external correction source,
page 70.